Who was the greatest Country singer of all time' Some might say Merle Haggard, but Merle disagreed. ''There's no way I can describe the effect Lefty Frizzell had,'' Merle told us. ''The soul of Hank Williams, the appeal of Johnny Cash and the charisma of Elvis Presley. He had it all. He was dressed all in white - heroes usually are. The impact he had on Country Music, and on me is not even measurable.'' George Jones began his career almost as a Lefty tribute act. Much of Willie Nelson's phrasing comes from Lefty Frizzell. When Roy Orbison joined the Traveling Wilburys, it was as Lefty Wilbury. Lefty's songs brought newfound poetry to Country music. Lefty Frizzell's influence is incalculable.A little history. We at Bear Family have always championed Lefty Frizzell. Back in 1984, when Lefty had almost been written out of the Country music story, we issued a comprehensive 14-LP box, 'His Life, His Music,' comprising all his known recordings. It wasn't one of our best-sellers, but it needed to be done because Lefty was that important. Then Merle Haggard's new recordings began shading closer to Lefty, and so did Keith Whitley's records. People began talking about Lefty again. Willie Nelson recorded a tribute album, From Willie to Lefty, and Lefty's younger brother, David, brought the Frizzell name back into the charts. Lefty was finally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. And then the CD era arrived, so in 1992 we reissued our LP box as a 12-CD set, 'Life's Like Poetry,' adding many newly-discovered non-session recordings, and redesigning the book to include many newly-found photos. So now it's more than 25 years after the CD edition. Even more recordings and many more photos have been found together with much more information about Lefty's brief, incendiary life. Now it's time for Bear Family to release the last word on the first name in Country music. This time it's TWENTY CDs, including David Frizzell's audio biography that was not on our original LP box, and many that weren't on the first CD box! The book is now a hardcover and greatly expanded in every way.
Track Listing
Disc 1:
- I Love You A Thousand Ways
- If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time
- Shine, Shave, Shower (It's Saturday)
- Cold Feet
- Don't Think It Ain't Been Fun Dear
- When Payday Comes Around
- My Baby's Just Like Money
- Look What Thoughts Will Do
- You Want Everything But Me
- I Want To Be With You Always
- Give Me More, More, More (Of Your Kisses)
- How Long Will It Take (To Stop Loving You)
- Always Late (With Your Kisses)
- Mom And Dad's Waltz
- You Can Go On Your Way Now
- Treasure Untold
- Blue Yodel #6
- Travellin' Blues
- My Old Pal
- Blue Yodel, #2
- Lullaby Yodel
- Brakeman's Blues
- My Rough And Rowdy Ways
- I Love You (Though You're No Good)
- It's Just You (I Could Love Always)
- (Darling Now) You're Here So Everything's Alright
- I've Got Reasons To Hate You
Disc 2:
- Don't Stay Away (Till Love Grows Cold)
- If You Can Spare The Time (I Won't Miss The Money)
- A King Without A Queen
- Forever (And Always)
- I Know You're Lonesome (While Waiting For Me)
- Lost Love Blues*
- That's Me Without You*
- Send Her Here To Be Mine*
- Lost Love Blues
- That's Me Without You
- I Won't Be Good For Nothin'
- If I Lose You (I'll Lose My World)
- I'm An Old Old Man (Tryin' To Love While I Can)
- You're Just Mine (Only In My Dreams)
- I'll Try
- (Honey, Baby, Hurry) Bring Your Sweet Self Back To Me
- Time Changes Things
- All Of Me Loves All Of You
- California Blues (Blue Yodel, #4)
- Never No' Mo' Blues
- We Crucified Our Jesus
- When It Comes To Measuring Love
- Sleep Baby Sleep
- (I'm) Lonely And Blue
Disc 3:
- Before You Go, Make Sure You Know
- Two Friends Of Mine In Love
- Hopeless Love
- Then I'll Come Back To You
- The Tragic Letter (The Letter That You Left)
- Two Hearts Broken Now
- You Can Always Count On Me
- I've Been Away Way Too Long
- Run `Em Off
- The Darkest Moment (Is Just Before The Light Of Day)
- You're Too Late
- My Little Her And Him
- I Love You Mostly
- You're There, I'm Here
- Let It Be So
- Mama!
- Making Believe
- Moonlight, Darling And You
- I'll Sit Alone And Cry
- A Forest Fire (Is In Your Heart)
- Sweet Lies
- Your Tomorrows Will Never Come
- It Gets Late So Early
- I'm Lost Between Right And Wrong
- Promises (Promises, Promises)
- Today Is That Tomorrow (I Dreamed Of Yesterday)
- My Love And Baby's Gone
- First To Have A Second Chance
Disc 4:
- These Hands
- You Can't Divorce My Heart
- Treat Her Right
- Heart's Highway
- I'm A Boy Left Alone
- Just Can't Live That Fast (Anymore)
- The Waltz Of The Angels
- Lullaby Waltz
- Glad I Found You
- Now That You Are Gone
- From An Angel To A Devil
- Lover By Appointment
- Sick, Sober And Sorry
- No One To Talk To (But The Blues)
- Is It Only That You're Lonely
- Mailman Bring Me No More Blues
- You've Still Got It
- Tell Me Dear
- To Stop Loving You (Means Cry)
- The Torch Within My Heart
- Time Out For The Blues
- If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time
- (Darling) Let's Turn Back The Years
- You Win Again
- Why Should I Be Lonely
- Signed, Sealed And Delivered
- Nobody Knows But Me
Disc 5:
- If You're Ever Lonely Darling
- Silence
- Release Me
- Our Love's No Bluff
- You're Humbuggin' Me
- She's Gone
- Cigarettes And Coffee Blues
- I Need Your Love
- My Bucket's Got A Hole In It
- Sin Will Be The Chaser For The Wine
- Knock Again, True Love
- The Long Black Veil
- One Has-Been To Another
- Farther Than My Eyes Can See
- My Blues Will Pass
- Ballad Of The Blue And Grey
- That's All I Can Remember
- So What! Let It Rain
- What You Gonna Do, Leroy'
- I Feel Sorry For Me
- Heaven's Plan
- Looking For You
Disc 6:
- Stranger
- A Few Steps Away
- Forbidden Lovers
- Just Passing Through
- That Reminds Me Of Me
- Don't Let Her See Me Cry
- Through The Eyes Of A Fool
- James River
- Preview Of Coming Attractions
- Lonely Heart
- What Good Did You Get (Out Of Breaking My Heart)
- When It Rains The Blues
- I'm Not The Man I'm Supposed To Be
- Saginaw Michigan
- There's No Food In This House
- The Rider
- The Nester
- I Was Coming Home To You
- Hello To Him (Goodbye To Me)
- I Can Tell
- Make That One For The Road A Cup Of Coffee
- `Gator Hollow
- It Costs Too Much To Die
- She's Gone, Gone, Gone
- Running Into Memories Of You
- Confused
- How Far Down Can I Go
Disc 7:
- It's Bad (When It's Thataway)
- I Don't Trust You Anymore
- A Little Unfair
- Woman Let Me Sing You A Song
- Preparations To Be Blue
- Love Looks Good On You
- Mama
- It's Hard To Please You
- You Don't Want Me To Get Well
- Writing On The Wall
- I Just Couldn't See The Forest (For The Trees)
- I'm Not Guilty
- It Couldn't Happen To A Nicer Guy
- Everything Keeps Coming Back (But You)
- Heart (Don't Love Her Anymore)
- You Don't Have To Be Present To Win
- My Feet Are Getting Cold
- Is There Anything I Can Do
- The Old Gang's Gone
- A Song From A Lonely Heart
- You Gotta Me Puttin' Me On
- There In The Mirror
- Get This Stranger Out Of Me
- Money Tree
- Hobo's Pride
Disc 8:
- When The Rooster Leaves The Yard
- Anything You Can Spare
- Only Way To Fly (Original Vocal)
- Only Way To Fly (Laughing Version)
- A Prayer On Your Lips Is Like Freedom In Your Hands
- Little Old Winedrinker Me
- A Word Or Two To Mary
- Almost Persuaded
- Have You Ever Been Untrue
- When The Grass Grows Green Again
- The Marriage Bit
- I'll Remember You
- Wasted Way Of Life
- Keep Them Flowers Watered While I'm Gone
- An Article From Life (With Chorus)
- Blind Street Singer
- Honky Tonk Hill
- My Baby Is A Tramp
- She Brought Love Sweet Love
- Watermelon Time In Georgia
- I Must Be Getting Over You
- Out Of You
- It's Raining All Over The World
- There's Something Lonely In This House
- Three Cheers For The Good Guys
- An Article From Life (Without Chorus)
- Honky Tonk Hill (Without Overdub)
Disc 9:
- Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboy
- What Am I Gonna Do
- You Babe
- This Just Ain't A Good Day For Leavin'
- Down By The Railroad Track
- Let Me Give Her The Flowers
- If I Had Half The Sense (A Fool Was Born With)
- Somebody's Words
- Lucky Arms
- True Love Needs To Be In Touch
- My House Is Your Honky Tonk
- I Buy The Wine
- If She Just Helps Me To Get Over You
- Falling
- Railroad Lady
- I Can't Get Over You To Save My Life
- I Never Go Around Mirrors (I've Got A Heartache To Hide)
- That's The Way Love Goes
- She Found The Key
- I Wonder Who's Building The Bridge
- My Wishing Room
- I'm Gonna Hang Out My Mind Today
- Sittin' And Thinkin'
- I'm Not That Good At Goodbye
- Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again
- Life's Like Poetry
Disc 10:
- I Hope You're Not Lonely When I'm Gone
- Darling I'm Missing You (Please Belive Me)
- I'll Never Cry Over You
- My Confession
- Intro
- My Baby And My Wife
- It's All Over Now
- Worried Mind
- You May Have Your Picture (Excerpt)
- I Ain't Goin' Honky-Tonkin' Anymore (Theme)
- Maiden's Prayer
- Wasting My Life Away
- You Nearly Lose Your Mind
- I'll Always Be Glad To Take You Back
- My Old Pal Of Yesterday
- Jimmie The Kid
- California Blues
- Mean Mama Blues
- I'll Be A Bachelor `Til I Die
- I'm A Long Gone Daddy
- Yesterday's Mail
- Last Night I Heard You Crying In Your Sleep
- There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
- Please Be Mine, Dear Blue Eyes
- I'm Yours If You Want Me
- Lost Love Blues (Fragment)
- If You've Got The Money
- Steppin' Out (take 1)
- Steppin' Out (take 2)
- Always In Love
Disc 11:
- Don't Stay Away (Till Love Grows Cold) (take 1)
- Don't Stay Away (Till Love Grows Cold) (take 2)
- You Have Never Been Known To Be Wrong
- Why Didn't You Tell Me Our Love Was Wrong
- I Love You So
- Just Little Things Like That
- You're The Reason Why I'm In Mysery
- I Won't Be Good For Nothin' (take 1)
- I Won't Be Good For Nothin' (take 2)
- I Won't Be Good For Nothin' (take 3)
- Backdoor Boogie
- Every Little Thing Rolled Into One
- I Love Yo Mostly
- Believe Me (It's True)
- I Just Can't Live That Fast Anymore (take 1)
- I Just Can't Live That Fast Anymore (take 2)
- I'll Make It Up To You
- Too Much Love
- My Abandoned Heart
- Wait Till I'm Asleep
- Not This Time
- Intro #1
- Intro #2
- Always Late
- Intro #3
- Interview with Frank Jones
Disc 12:
- Intro #5
- Intro #9
- Ida Red Boogie
- Intro #14
- Sunday Down In Tennessee
- King Without A Queen
- Travelin' Blues
- Intro #144
- Chain Gang
- Desert Blues
- Intro #296
- Things
- Woodchopper's Ball
- Intro #237: Stay All Night, Stay A Little Longer
- Somebody's Pushin'
- Mona Lisa
Disc 13:
- Chapter 1: Mom And Dad's Waltz
- Chapter 2: I'm Gonna Sing Like Jimmie
- Chapter 3: Lefty
Disc 14:
- Chapter 4: Please Be Mine, Dear Blue Eyes
- Chapter 5: Travelin' Blues
Disc 15:
- Chapter 6: I Love You A Thousand Ways
- Chapter 7: Time Changes Things
Disc 16:
- Chapter 8: If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time
- Chapter 9: Hank & Lefty
Disc 17:
- Chapter 10: Always Late
- Chapter 11: Lefty Meets Merle
Disc 18:
- Chapter 12: California Blues
- Chapter 13: Long Black Veil
Disc 19:
- Chapter 13: Long Black Veil (cont. from disc 6)
- Chapter 14: Saginaw Michigan
Disc 20:
- Chapter 15: That's The Way Love Goes
- Chapter 16: The Last Session
- Chapter 17: Forever And Always
- Epilogue
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Bonus Materials
- Audio Book - 8 CDs with Lefty's life history, written and read by his brother David
Sales Points
- Many previously unseen photos from the Frizzell family
- A new designed 264 page hardcover book
- Newly remastered
- Many previously unissued recordings
Press Quotes
German label Bear Family have gone above and beyond on this year's set that compiles everything country legend Lefty Frizzell recorded during his three decades in the limelight. At 20 CDs, it's a lot to absorb, but it's deep dive worth taking.
—Paste
An Article From Life: The Complete Recordings is the final word on the man old Merle once said possessed the soul of Hank Williams, the appeal of Johnny Cash and the charisma of Elvis Presley.
—Relix
One of the most unique voices ever in country music... This impressive, 20-CD box of his complete works puts his little-known legacy in the proper perspective.
—Yahoo Music
This is the definitive set of Frizzell's work; every 45, 78 and LP track, including those that were never issued, demos and non-session recordings--and they have been newly remastered. The sonic quality of the studio material is wonderful: clear and crisp. Bear Family deserves kudos for keeping Lefty's legend alive by releasing such a complete package of his material.
—Pop Matters
This collection is the epitome of the Bear Family box set, overwhelming in its completeness, attention to detail and love for the artist.
—No Depression
This behemoth of a box set is a superb salute to Frizell. Its packaging is a delight by itself. We can love the box a thousand ways.
—Goldmine
Listening to his music on the An Article From Life you will come away a complete understanding of what made Frizzell the King of Honky Tonk.
—The Vinyl District
An Article From Life -The Complete Recordings exists as a monolith, an entity complete in itself. It represents a love and dedication to an artist deemed important enough for all of the recordings made over 25 years to be located, assembled, ordered, and cataloged with a librarian precision.
—All About Jazz
